The rebels were still holding hostage 44 Fijian peacekeepers, whom they disarmed before attacking the Filipino troops. The Filipino soldiers retreated to safe areas in two separate extractions, General Gregorio Catapang said. EPA / Armed Forces of the Philippines

"I have assured them that Australia will use its position on the UN Security Council to maintain focus on this issue."

It is understood the peacekeepers have been held since last week when Syrian armed fighters, including some linked to the al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra Front, stormed a Golan Heights crossing and forced them to surrender their weapons.

The rebels also surrounded 72 soldiers from the Philippines serving in the UN Disengagement Observer Force which has been tasked with monitoring a ceasefire between Syria and Israel since 1974 - APN Newsdesk.